Fashion Passion, Looking Up To Didier Drogba & Friendship with Lewis Hamilton

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The Football Interview represents a new series in which leading personalities from athletics and show business participate with presenter the interviewer for candid and detailed dialogues about football.

The program examines mental approach and drive, covering defining moments, professional achievements and personal reflections. This series reveals the individual beyond the player.

Reece James started training with Chelsea at the age of six and - after developing through the academy and into the senior squad - is now team leader.

James announced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in impressive fashion, netting on his debut in a 7-1 victory over the opposition in September 2019.

Now 25, James' career highlights to date include making his international bow against Wales in 2020, claiming the Champions League with his club in 2021, and being appointed team skipper in 2023.

However, his journey hasn't been without challenges, with a series of injuries impacting him over recent years.

The athlete spoke with the interviewer to discuss his professional peaks, the Brazilian's impact, and his relationship with seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton.

The interviewer: First question: name, your origins, and what's your coffee order?

Reece James: The name is Reece James, I was raised in Mortlake, near Richmond - I expect more people will know that area. My beverage is a flat white.

The host: Has it always been a that particular coffee?

James: No, it started with, such as, flavored coffees and similar drinks.

The presenter: We'll begin by talking football. What does football mean to you?

The defender: Essentially, from childhood, it's kind of all I knew in education. I wasn't the most academic student, and I just loved the sport.

The interviewer: What's your earliest memory of playing? Is this difficult to answer because it represented a big part of your childhood and growing up?

Reece: Not particularly, simply due to my memory is so bad. My earliest memory was probably, I don't know, going to watch my sibling compete. He is two years older than me, and he also participated as well.

The host: It was significant in your household, wasn't it, because your dad was deeply engaged? He is a soccer trainer too, isn't he? Tell me a bit about that.

The athlete: Well we were three children during childhood. It was all football mad, and he naturally was a coach as well, and we used to train a lot with him.

Kelly: Do you remember many of those training periods? Since I learned that starting from the four years old, you practiced outdoors and he conducted drills with you in the back garden.

Reece: Yes, I remember - the training started young. Fortunately, they proved beneficial for myself and my sister [the club and national team forward his sister].

The interviewer: Tell me about your initial club that you represented as a child, its name, and what can you remember?

The defender: I don't remember much, frankly. That was the local team in the area. I think I was there for about a year. From that point that I was scouted for the professional club.

Kelly: And you weren't a defender at first, correct? Explain about your positional journey and its development...

James: I started off as a striker, and then subsequently moved to wide positions, left wing, right side, and eventually to central positions, and then finally at right-back, and I hated it at that period.

The presenter: What caused your dislike for it?

Reece: Because I consistently desired to occupy central positions. You didn't touch the ball as frequently but eventually it just clicked and I became a defender since.

The interviewer: You mentioned you began as a forward - who served as your role model?

Reece: The player I admired was [the legendary] Drogba. I grew up as a Chelsea fan during youth and he was the player I admired.

The host: Can you think of a pivotal moment in your career - an experience that has shaped you and the player you have evolved into?

The defender: I'd likely identify going on loan. Bridging the gap between academy and first-team football is the hardest and that is likely what most players transitioning upwards find difficult.

The presenter: You're talking about Wigan, naturally. What made was Wigan the ideal team for you at the time? It was miles away from everything you were familiar with in the capital - what made it successful so well?

James: The first thing is that I played consistently, which helps. I acquired a lot of experiences - I relocated from my friends and family and was forced to grow up fast. Participating on a regular schedule assisted a lot.

Kelly: Which individual exerted the greatest influence on your professional journey?

The athlete: I'd identify [Brazil defender] the veteran. He is nearly old enough to be my father and has competed at the highest level for many years. He always tried to assist me from the moment he arrived and still does, even now he is departed [after leaving the club in that year].

The host: In what way would he assist you?

Reece: It was small pieces of advice away from games. During matches, he occasionally see things that I perceived differently and try and offer alternative perspectives.

Kelly: It was undoubtedly pleasant to see him recently [at the Club World Cup]?

The defender: It was wonderful to reconnect with him. I'm pleased that his club did well in the tournament [they lost in the semi-finals to the champions his team]. It is always good to see him.

Kelly: If you could return and experience again one match in your professional history, which would you pick?

Reece: If the outcome is remains the same - it would be the Champions League [final].

The host: Other than victory, what was so special about that night